“A Journey with John” Day 18: The Good Shepherd and His sheep (John 10)

Last time, our guide took us to see a man who was born blind, receive his sight! It was very exciting to see, but we also saw that the religious leaders were again enraged that Jesus had performed the miracle on the Sabbath. Jesus ended up informing them that His mission is to make the blind see, and make those who say they see, become blinded.

Before heading out on today’s excursion, let’s see the new people to whom we were introduced last time:

> A man who was born blind

> The blind man’s parents

Now, let’s join our guide to go see the rest of Jesus‘ fiery exchange with the religious leaders:

We enter the scene and find Jesus continuing to engage with the religious leaders. He tells them that basically they are not good shepherds, but that He is not only a good Shepherd, He is the Door to the sheep. In fact, Jesus says He will give His life for the sheep. As well, His sheep will hear His voice. He also informs them that they can’t hear what He has to say because they are not His sheep. Jesus says that He will give His sheep eternal life. He also says that no one will be able to prevent this, because His Father has given Him the sheep. Jesus adds that He and the Father are one. At this, the religious leaders take up stones to again try to stone Him. Jesus then asks them for what good deed He is being stoned. They retort that they are not stoning Him for any good works, but because He, being a man, makes Himself to be God. Jesus flees the scene and goes to a place beyond the Jordan. There, He has great success, with many of the people coming to believe in Him.

Our highlighted verses for today:

“Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. I and My Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?” The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.” And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was baptizing at first, and there He stayed. And many believed in Him there.”

‭‭John‬ ‭10‬:‭7‬-‭11‬, ‭16‬-‭18‬, ‭26‬, ‭30‬-‭33‬, ‭40‬, ‭42‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question for reflection:

What does Jesus mean by saying that He is the door to the sheepfold?

Next time, our guide is taking us to see a sad scene and then a glorious scene. I’m excited to see what this means!

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!